The Madison County Board of Education approved the 2014-15 school calendar at their meeting Tuesday night. School will begin on Aug. 15 and end on May 29.

In a separate matter, the board heard that construction at the high school is progressing on schedule and that the first floor of the new high school addition should be turned over to school staff on July 7 so that moving in can begin. The final two floors of the building will be finished by Aug. 1.

Things at the Broad River College and Career Academy are moving a little slower, assistant superintendent Bonnie Knight said Charles Black Construction still plans to turn this portion of construction over to school staff on Aug. 1 as well.

Knight said there are currently vacancies for parapros, special education and for a social studies teacher at the middle school.

Knight said the summer feeding program is a success and that school nutrition workers are providing over 500 free meals to children per day.

School officials are working on a plan to separate bus and car traffic (both student drivers and parents dropping off children) at the high school in the mornings and evenings at the request of the Department of Education. Superintendent Allen McCannon said student drivers will be held until all the buses have left campus in the afternoons.

The board perused a prospective traffic flow map and heard that detailed maps will likely be given out with parking decals to students and also posted online and on social media.

Assistant superintendent Sherrie Gibney-Sherman told the board that two companies, Carrier Transicold and Reinicke Athens, Inc. (RAI) are interested in forming a partnership with Madison County and the Broad River Career Academy to train workers. Carrier is concerned about the supply of welders and is considering offering apprenticeships to interested students and paying for postsecondary education for employees.

After her presentation, BOE chairman Greg Wilkes thanked Gibney-Sherman for her service to the school system.

“Thank you for your service, it’s been a privilege to work with you,” Wilkes said. “You came at the right time and got us on the right path and I don’t think we’d be where we are today without your service.”

Gibney-Sherman is leaving the school system June 30 and will be replaced as assistant superintendent by Michael Williams.

The board approved the following personnel recommendations Tuesday night.

Colbert – approved the transfer of Kaitlin Boggs from Ila Elementary parapro to teacher at Colbert.

Danielsville – approve maternity leave for secretary Rochelle Dobbs.

Ila – approved a release from teaching contract for Tyler Pittman and approved Travis Moak as his replacement.

MCMS – approve a change of duties from parapro to secretary for Elisa Chandler.